Witch Christmas Page 5

  "Can I make one more wish?" she asked.

  He shook his head, his lips curving into a wry smile. "You really are a greedy witch, aren't you?" He walked toward her. "Say you were lucky enough to have one more wish granted, what would it be?"

  That was easy. She stared up in to his green eyes, as humble and contrite as she'd ever felt before. "I wish that you'd forgive me."

  They stood together in near silence, surrounded only by the sound of the wind in the trees. Liam leaned in and brushed a kiss across Tessa's lips. "Consider that wish already granted, Mrs. Kennedy." His words, which lightened Tessa's heavy heart, were followed with a swirl of gold glitter that took them both home.

  ***

  Liam tucked the blanket around Tessa and leaned in to kiss her. "Just rest, my love. That ointment will help your blisters disappear in no time." He knew he should leave his wife to rest but he couldn't bear to take his eyes off of her. Having her home safe was the greatest gift he could ever receive. Well, that and the one and he still had to give her.

  He didn't resist when Tessa pulled him down to sit beside her.

  "I'm sorry," she said. "I know that what I did was unconscionable."

  Her contrite apologies were sincere, of that he had no doubt. What he did doubt, was the wisdom of telling her just what Damian had really wanted from her. Now that she'd permanently erased Damian's memory, his brother was no longer a threat to anyone in the family, certainly not Tessa, or the baby she was carrying. He didn't want to tell her that she was pregnant, and then in the same breath tell her that his brother had wanted to take the baby's soul so that he could complete his transition to the dark side. Damian had caused enough harm to his family. There was no way Liam was going to let him cast a shadow over the joy this baby was going to bring. Telling Tessa would only serve the purpose of making her feel even more ashamed. No, the secret would die with him.

  "Say something, Liam."

  "I love you."

  She smiled. "I'll take that. But I was hoping that you'd say you've completely forgiven me."

  He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "I have. We've moved on."

  "But what about your family? I owe them an apology, a lifetime of apologies, for going behind their backs to find your brother." Minx jumped up on the bed and snuggled in next to Tessa.

  Liam watched as Tessa stroked the purring cat. He hated seeing the worried look in his wife's eyes. It was unlike her to be this concerned about the damage her words and actions had caused, but knowing how badly she felt made it easy for him to let go of it all. "Are you referring to Mr. Swine? He's not a Kennedy, hence he's no relation of mine."

  "Fair enough." Tessa bit her lip. "But there's your mother left to face."

  "Actually, there isn't."

  She frowned. "What are you saying?"

  "Your Aunt Trudy came here after she was banished from the bar. While she was here, she cast a spell to completely erase my family's memory of you leaving. They'll never know what you did."

  Tessa stared at him. "Aunt Trudy did that? Really? She doesn't like using magic in situations like this."

  Liam shrugged. "I could see she wasn't happy about it, but she asked my permission first, and together we agreed it was the right thing to do. She said to tell you that you were to consider her actions your Christmas gift. For the next twenty years."

  Tessa laughed. "That sounds like Aunt Trudy." She gazed down at his hand covering hers. "You know, I did what I did not to hurt anyone, but to have you all to myself. I didn't want to share you with anyone."

  "Well, you're going to have to. Share me, that is."

  Tessa sighed. "I know. I can see that you love your family and they love you." She turned to meet his gaze. "So this whole forgiveness concept, it's a Christmas thing?"

  "Yes, and a family thing. And a love thing."

  She nodded. "It feels good."

  "To give as well as to receive." Liam's smile was gentle. "Now, let's move on and make some happy Christmas memories."

  Tessa brightened. "I agree. Let's start with my gift."

  He laughed. His wife was a delight. How had he ever lived without her? "You don't want to wait until the morning?"

  She shook her head. "Now is good."

  "Okay." Liam shifted on the bed so that he was facing her. "I bought the house next door. We can move in within a few days."

  Tessa's eyes fluttered shut as she slumped against the pillows in a dead faint.

  "Tessa?" Liam patted her cheek gently. What had he just done? "I'm only teasing, sweetheart. We're not going to live here. Come on, wake up and come back to me."

  One eye opened. "So you were kidding about moving here?"

  He sat back. "You little minx. You had me."

  She opened her other eye and sat up. "You deserved it, Liam, for trying to scare me like that. Now, seriously, what is my Christmas gift?"

  "We're pregnant." He loved how the words sounded, he'd been waiting days to tell her. She'd missed every sign, but he hadn't. Well, that and her doctor had called with the surprising news from a routine blood test she'd had for a physical the week before. Knowing they were to welcome a child was the best Christmas gift he could ever imagine. "We're going to have a baby."

  Her eyes grew wide. Again, she slumped back against the pillows.

  "That's not funny, Tessa. This is the best thing that could ever happen to us. We're supposed to be celebrating." He watched her for a moment but she didn't move. He rubbed her hands. Still nothing. "Sweetheart?" She'd actually fainted this time.

  Perplexed, he glanced down at the cat. Minx narrowed her green eyes and hissed. Liam looked back at his wife. If Tessa's reaction to the blessed news was any indication, the next thirty-six weeks were going to be non-stop fun.

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